6 March 2012 Last updated at 02:04 GMT
Government plans to overhaul the NHS in England have met stiff opposition
It is promising "further safeguards" over the use of the private sector and the role of the NHS regulator, Monitor.
The Health and Social Care Bill has met resistance from Lib Dem members of the House of Lords.
The government said the amendments would give "ongoing reassurance" on the NHS. Labour called them a "fig leaf".
The bill aims to give GPs control of much of the NHS budget and would open up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.
'Clarity'
But opponents say the government this will mean "privatisation" of much of the service.
They argue that the government has failed to win over the public and health professionals and would be disruptive at a time the NHS is having to make big savings.
Liberal Democrat activists are attempting to hold a vote on axing the bill - which is opposed by Labour - at the party's spring conference later this week.
The bill returns to the Lords on Tuesday afternoon.
Earl Howe, a Conservative, said: "The amendments we have brought forward today will provide ongoing reassurance that the NHS will always operate in the interests of patients.
"They clarify Monitor's transitional intervention powers over foundation trusts and introduce further safeguards about foundation trusts' ability to earn non-NHS income."
He added: "The principles of our modernisation plans - doctors and nurses making decisions, patients being at the heart of the health system, and less bureaucracy - have always been at the core of the bill.
"These principles are widely accepted according to the independent NHS Future Forum. We will continue to work with peers to provide the reassurance and clarity necessary as the Health Bill progresses through Parliament."
But, for Labour, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "It has all the hallmarks of a behind-the-scenes coalition deal designed as a fig leaf for Mr Clegg to cling to at a difficult spring conference this weekend.
"It leaves the coalition's plans to turn the NHS into a free market firmly in place and does not address the profound concerns of health professionals.
"Lib Dem activists will not be convinced by Nick Clegg's posturing and face-saving amendments."
COPY http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Government plans to overhaul the NHS in England have met stiff opposition The government is to introduce further concessions on its controversial health bill for England, in an effort to assuage Liberal Democrat concerns.
It is promising "further safeguards" over the use of the private sector and the role of the NHS regulator, Monitor.
The Health and Social Care Bill has met resistance from Lib Dem members of the House of Lords.
The government said the amendments would give "ongoing reassurance" on the NHS. Labour called them a "fig leaf".
The bill aims to give GPs control of much of the NHS budget and would open up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.
'Clarity'
But opponents say the government this will mean "privatisation" of much of the service.
They argue that the government has failed to win over the public and health professionals and would be disruptive at a time the NHS is having to make big savings.
Liberal Democrat activists are attempting to hold a vote on axing the bill - which is opposed by Labour - at the party's spring conference later this week.
The bill returns to the Lords on Tuesday afternoon.
Earl Howe, a Conservative, said: "The amendments we have brought forward today will provide ongoing reassurance that the NHS will always operate in the interests of patients.
"They clarify Monitor's transitional intervention powers over foundation trusts and introduce further safeguards about foundation trusts' ability to earn non-NHS income."
He added: "The principles of our modernisation plans - doctors and nurses making decisions, patients being at the heart of the health system, and less bureaucracy - have always been at the core of the bill.
"These principles are widely accepted according to the independent NHS Future Forum. We will continue to work with peers to provide the reassurance and clarity necessary as the Health Bill progresses through Parliament."
But, for Labour, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "It has all the hallmarks of a behind-the-scenes coalition deal designed as a fig leaf for Mr Clegg to cling to at a difficult spring conference this weekend.
"It leaves the coalition's plans to turn the NHS into a free market firmly in place and does not address the profound concerns of health professionals.
"Lib Dem activists will not be convinced by Nick Clegg's posturing and face-saving amendments."
COPY http://www.bbc.co.uk/
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